The letter was also signed by other sports icons.
Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, leaves the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Senate Democratic leaders are seeking to pressure reluctant Democrats to change filibuster rules so that the voting rights legislation could clear the chamber on a simple majority vote.
In their letter to Manchin, the sports icons asked for protections against impartial conduct and score-keeping, and for elections to be open to all Americans. "Our democracy is at its best when all Americans are encouraged to participate," the letter said."We support measures to provide voters with a range of opportunities to obtain and cast a lawful ballot, including robust in-person, early, and absentee voting options. We support the use of election security, equipment and record-keeping measures that are reliable and evidence-based, and clearly support the integrity of the election process.